Return to the Salish Sea

David Patterson · Post by **David Patterson** » Feb 12th, '15, 17:09

Antici...pation. Only a few days away from re-boarding, about all I can think about is how the boat will be when I see her, after 3 months ashore. Here is a photo of a sketch from the sailboat cruiser's premier reference for much of the Salish Sea. Highly recommended for trustworthy info and beautiful representations of anchorages. My 2015 plan is to explore "Part 2" at least, hopefully getting as far as Princess Louisa, as boat and conditions allow. One of my internal goals was best said by Basho, a 17th century poet and traveller. He wrote, as he came to a specific place after days of walking: "Only now, for the first time in this journey, did I feel we were truly making progress. This is the paradigmatic, energizing moment that occurs in extended travel. You have reached the point where your journey is no longer just starting. You are not in transition from home to road any more. You are fully severed from the past and are now defined by the fact of your motion." I am eager to reach that point in my own 2015 cruising. May it come soon. Bill seems to me to have already reached it in Florida.

Sea Hunt Video · Post by **Sea Hunt Video** » Feb 12th, '15, 17:44

I, for one, can't wait for more photos and stories. I am an unabashed fan

David Patterson · Post by **David Patterson** » Feb 18th, '15, 09:05

Salish Sea return accomplished from CO (car, bus, train, plane, bus, ferry in that order) the mid-winter scene seems welcoming. Not much of interest to share yet, other than a glance from the ferry down Upright Channel to its opening on my "home waters" of San Juan Channel (those are the Olympic Mountains in the distance) plus a wunderground.com screen shot of forecast temps and winds for the coming week. The water temperature modulates the climate here, unless overwhelmed by a larger weather system. After 87 days away (NJ, MO, CO) I found the boat afloat and in need of airing and cleaning. Did I leave in a hurry?

barfwinkle · Post by **barfwinkle** » Feb 18th, '15, 15:47

Welcome Home David. Enjoy!

Doug Hill · Post by **Doug Hill** » Feb 18th, '15, 16:59

David,
Afloat is a good thing. Airing and cleaning sort of comes with the territory.
Sure wish something would "modulate" my climate right now. Lake Michigan is part of the problem.
Look forward to more of your adventures.

David Patterson · Post by **David Patterson** » Feb 18th, '15, 20:24

Thanks Roberto, Bill, and Doug, and those others who have contacted me off-forum as well. Gives me a warm sense of cruising community. Doug, what a different environment! Your lake water must be at or close to freezing, unlike the usual 45 to 50 degrees here. I've stood on the Chicago lake front before in winter, and marveled. Like the Artic. On another note, this may be the time for a disclaimer. While I am growing reasonably opinionated as I extend my cruising experiences, please recognize that I'm late to the sport, and am mostly a self-made cruiser. That old comment applies: in a self-made man there is usually evidence of poor craftsmanship. Enjoy my photos, please, but read my commentary thoughtfully. If you ever care to set me straight in my idiosyncratic ways, I'll welcome your comments. I'm trying hard to learn, before I put a premature end to my valuable (to me!) existence. Thanks to all watchers over the last two years of my postings here. David, Ship Yard Cove, Friday Harbor

Sea Hunt Video · Post by **Sea Hunt Video** » Feb 18th, '15, 23:12

David:

You may have more company this year. The March 2015 issue of SAIL magazine has a full page article (page 34) on sailing the San Juan Islands.

David Patterson · Post by **David Patterson** » Feb 19th, '15, 08:06

This photo is a snapshot of sunrise in the port marina of Friday Harbor on 2/18/15. It won't seem this roomy much longer. April will begin to bring in more transient cruisers. The day reached 55* and more. Force 3 winds allowed me to sail in gratifying style to my haulout yard. Roberto, three "seasons" have not come close to exhausting the San Juans for me, but I've been sailing more in Canadian waters lately. July and August particularly are pretty busy. One long time sailor told me those months were poor sailing here, because of no wind in the one hand, and mega-yacht wakes on the other. I know from experience that attempting light air sailing with a pocket cruiser, in San Juan channel during a July weekend, can be much more than a sane person would consider. The majority of sailboats motor anyway, and are larger, so fewer problems for that cruising style. Anchorages can get crowded, but I've yet to be unable to find a spot. The scenery and the waters are spectacular, for sure. Away from central locations like Friday Harbor, Roche Harbor, and Echo Bay of Sucia Island at least, interesting anchorages are plentiful. Anyway, more power to anyone who gets a chance to cruise anywhere in the fascinating Salish Sea. I'm a fortunate man to be here.

David Patterson · Post by **David Patterson** » Feb 21st, '15, 09:41

Shoreside scenes, after sailing my boat to the yard for haulout: 1) A "complete" keeled boat on jack stands. ("Long" or "full" keeled doesn't seem to be an adequate description. Our Alberg designs are fortunate modifications, but this voluminous 7' draft cutter must hold a course as though on a rail, leeway a somewhat minimal consideration...and maybe sometimes take about a nautical mile in which to tack. The hull? Ferro-cement.) 2) A ship yard vehicle, made singular in the salt air, about only the cracked windshield left for glass, this old jeep pickup is still on duty around the yard. 3) A corner planting of ornamental crab apple blooms near a multi-million dollar waterfront property, looking out toward the north entrance of Friday Harbor. Gazing at the native people's tended fields of camas lily and other plants, green like lawns in February, the first Europeans were understandably confused about the climate. Gardeners and orchardists do extremely well here, with the growing season length and mild climate. Summers can be dry in the San Juans though. 17" of precipitation yearly, nearly all rain, I recall. Better check that number.

Sea Hunt Video · Post by **Sea Hunt Video** » Feb 21st, '15, 10:24

And I thought my CJ5 was pretty beat up when I finally sold her.

Wow

Jim Walsh · Post by **Jim Walsh** » Feb 21st, '15, 10:26

That double-ender is very cool. I'd have guessed heavily faired steel. Don't see much ferrocement any longer. Still popular in Australia though, has something to do with the Coriolis Effect. I like seeing all that chain used in the standing rigging and the pin rails which are not merely window dressing.

David Patterson · Post by **David Patterson** » Feb 21st, '15, 10:37

Beautifully rigged and thought-out ocean-going boat. I guessed steel at first. Began to think differently studying the forward bulwark area. Went up to thump the hull a few times and got that dull sound of ferrocement. Heavily painted, so I could still be wrong, of course, but the fairing shows none of the evenness of steel plates. I wonder what her displacement and tonnage are. I estimated 40' LOA. She loomed over me massively. A big craft. I'd love to see her afloat. I'll ask the yard about her.

Jim Walsh · Post by **Jim Walsh** » Feb 21st, '15, 10:46

They used to call the Westsail's "Westsnail's". Keeping that in mind the last name I'd have chosen for that particular type of vessel was "Drifter".

tjr818 · Post by **tjr818** » Feb 21st, '15, 11:42

I love the mast on Drifter, it looks like a clear fir 8x8. Another advantage to living in the PNW.
I wonder how Drifter could manage the tides through the San Juan channel? The prop is off, so we can not tell how big it is, but the opening for it looks pretty big.

David Patterson · Post by **David Patterson** » Feb 21st, '15, 14:23

A lot of owners name their boats after themselves, in some fashion. Maybe the owner is the drifter. It was that wooden mast that drew me to the boat, from the front of the yard. As for the currents in San Juan Channel (depending!) she would likely handle them excellently, for once underway her momentum would give her carrying power. Lots of sail area too, probably at the desirable 100 square feet per ton. Maybe not. No bowsprit to speak of.

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